North India

Almora

Almora district is a district in the Kumaon division of Uttarakhand state, India. The headquarters is at Almora. It is 1,638 meters above sea level. The town of Almora is surrounded by Pithoragarh district to the east, Garhwal region to the west, Bageshwar district to the north and Nainital district to the south.
The average temperature for the year in Almora is 74.3 °F (23.5 °C). The warmest month, on average, is June with an average temperature of 87.9 °F (31.1 °C). The coolest month on average is January, with an average temperature of 55.9 °F (13.3 °C). The average amount of precipitation for the year in Almora is 44.6" (1132.8 mm). The month with the most precipitation on average is August with 13.0" (330.2 mm) of precipitation. The month with the least precipitation on average is November with an average of 0.2" (5.1 mm). There are an average of 46.8 days of precipitation, with the most precipitation occurring in August with 11.9 days and the least precipitation occurring in November with 0.6 days.

Visitor attractions :

Chitai Temple,10 kilometres (6.2 mi) from the main city of Almora, is dedicated to the Hindu deity Golu Devata, The God of Justice, popular in Kumaon region. An incarnation of the Lord Shiva, he is traditionally thought to fulfill wishes if prayed with a clear conscience.

Nanda Devi Templeis a Hindu temple to the Goddess Nanda Devi in the center of the town, with unusual image carving on the temple walls. Nanda Devi festival is held annually in September.

Someshwar, 35 kilometres (22 mi) from Almora city is famous for its ancient Lord Shiva Temple, constructed by Raja Som Chand during the Chand Dynasty.

Badrinath

Badrinath is a holy town and a nagar panchayat in Chamoli district in the state of Uttarakhand, India. It is the most important of the four sites in India's Char Dham pilgrimage and gets its name from the temple of Badrinath.
Badrinath has an average elevation of 3,100 metres (10,170 feet). It is in the Garhwal Himalayas, on the banks of the Alaknanda River. The town lies between the Nar and Narayana mountain ranges 9 km east of Nilkantha peak (6,596m). Badrinath is located 62 km northwest of Nanda Devi peak and 301 km north of Rishikesh. From Gaurikund (near Kedarnath) to Badrinath by road is 233 km.

Places to see in Badrinath :

The Badrinath temple is the main attraction in the town. According to legend Shankara discovered a black stone image of Lord Badrinarayan made of Saligram stone in the Alaknanda River. He originally enshrined it in a cave near the Tapt Kund hot springs. In the sixteenth century, the King of Garhwal moved the murti to the present temple. The temple is approximately 50 ft (15 m) tall with a small cupola on top, covered with a gold gilt roof. The facade is built of stone, with arched windows. A broad stairway leads up to a tall arched gateway, which is the main entrance. The architecture resembles a Buddhist vihara (temple), with the brightly painted facade also more typical of Buddhist temples. Just inside is the mandapa, a large pillared hall that leads to the garbha grha, or main shrine area. The walls and pillars of the mandapa are covered with intricate carvings.

Bhowali

Bhowali is a town and a municipal board in Nainital District in the state of Uttarakhand, India. It lies close to Ghorakhal, known for Golu Devta temple and Sainik School Ghorakhal.

Bhowali is located at 29.38°N 79.52°E. It has an average elevation of 1,654 metres (5,426 feet). Bhowali is a gateway to many places in the Kumaon division like Almora and Bageshwar for people coming from the Haldwani route. Many Lakes neighbor Bhowali like Bhimtal, Sat tal, Naukuchiyatal, Nal Damyanti Tal, Sukha Tal, and Khurpa Tal. The place is an ideal hill station. It is 1706 meters above sea level and 11 km away from Nainital. This is a road junction serving all the nearby hill stations from Nainital. Bhowali is famous for its scenic grandeur and as a hill fruit mart, Bhowali is also known for its T.B. sanatorium established in 1912.

Places to see in Bhowali :

Kainchi Dham : A very popular place in the area, this temple is renowned for Neeb Karori Maharaj temple and ashram. The temple attracts devotees from all over the country as well as abroad.
Situated about 9kms from Bhowali and 17kms from Nainital, this temple sits deftly in the lap of nature oozing spiritual vibes and serenity.

Bhimtal : Rested at a height of 1370m above the sea level and 3km from Sattal, Bhimtal is a place to lie down and relax amid the nature in its best form.
Believed to be named after Bhima of Mahabharata, this area is spotted with temples lying amid the verdant mountains and a pristine blue lake. Bhimtal Lake with a small island in the middle adds charm to its picturesque surroundings.

Bhimtal

Bhimtal is a town and a nagar panchayat in Nainital district in the state of Uttarakhand, India, situated at an altitude of 1370 meters above sea level and is about 22 kilometers from Nainital. The major attraction in Bhimtal is the Bhimtal Lake, which has an island at its centre.

Near the Bhimeshwar temple is one of the source of river Gargi known as Gola Nadi in the region and originates from Garg Parvat or village Gagar in Nainital District.
About 2 km from Bhimtal is Nal Damyanti Tal, a small natural lake. It is believed that the palace of famous king Nala drowned into this lake. It is a very sacred place for the dwellers of the region. About 5 km from Bhimtal is the famous group of lakes known as Sattal, which is a place of attraction for nature lovers. Clear water of lakes surrounded by thick forest and voice of birds is a wonderful experience. Hill near the lake known as Hidimba Parvat. It gets its name from demon Hidimba of Mahabharata. Vankhandi Maharaj, a monk and environmentalist lives on the hill now, and has created a sanctuary for the wild animals around the hill. The area is known as Vankhandi Ashram.
Sayad Baba ki mazar is a place where people from different part of Bhimtal and near around places come for worship on every Thursday. It is an example of unity in diversity as people from different religions (Hindu, Muslim, Sikh, Christian) visit this place, apart from this the centre of attraction of this mazar is its location. You can see the whole lake, dam and the island from their and also near around places like Jhangaliyagaon, Nakuchiyatal.

Binsar

Binsar Wildlife Sanctuary is located in the Himalayas on top of the Jhandi Dhar hills. It is about 33 km north of the Almora town in Uttarakhand, India.
From a place called Zero Point in Binsar one can see the Himalayan peaks like Kedarnath Peak, Shivling, Trisul and Nanda Devi.
Binsar was the summer capital of the Chand Kings, who ruled over Kumaon from the 11th to 18th centuries AD. Binsar was established in 1988 for the conservation and protection of the shrinking broad leaf oak (Quercus) forests of the Central Himalayan region, and it has over 200 bird species.

The sanctuary is spread over 45.59 km2 and situated at an altitude varying from 900 to 2500 metres with an average height of 2412 metres. It is located 35 km from Almora in the state of Uttarakhand.

Places to see in Binsar :

Binsar Mahadev : There are two Binsar in Almora. The Binsar Mahadev is located in a jungle around 20 km from Ranikhet and nearly 70 km from Almora. It is known for the temple of Lord Shiva. Every June yajna is organised in which thousand of devotees visit there.
The Bineshwar Mahadev temple is a holy destination for Hindus. Binsar was named after the temple, which is dedicated to the god Shiva.

Kasar Devi temple : Kasar Devi temple is located around 9 km from Binsar. It housed Dutch monks from 1970 to early 1980s. It gained recognition in 1920 when Swami Vivekananda meditated there.

Birthi

Falling from the height of 126m, Birthi falls offers an extremely refreshing experience. With lush green surroundings blooming in various colors, it makes for an ideal place to sit and enjoy tea and lunch.

Situated at a distance of 35 kms from Munsiyari, do visit this spectacular place.

Bageshwar

Bageshwar is a city and a municipal board in Bageshwar district in the state of Uttarakhand, India. It is located at a distance of 470 km from the National Capital New Delhi and 502 km from the State Capital Dehradun. Bageshwar is known for its scenic beauty, Glaciers, Rivers and Temples. It is also the administrative headquarters of Bageshwar district.

The average temperature for the year in Bageshwar is 20.4 °C (68.8 °F). The warmest month, on average, is June with an average temperature of 27.3 °C (81.2 °F). The coolest month on average is January, with an average temperature of 11 °C (51.8 °F). The average amount of precipitation for the year in Bageshwar is 48.1" (1221.7 mm). The month with the most precipitation on average is July with 13.0" (330.2 mm) of precipitation. The month with the least precipitation on average is November with an average of 0.2" (5.1 mm). There are an average of 63.6 days of precipitation, with the most precipitation occurring in August with 15.3 days and the least precipitation occurring in November with 0.8 days.

Places to see in Bageshwar :

Chandika Temple : A beautiful temple dedicated to Goddess Chandika stands at a distance of about half a kilometre from Bageshwar. Every year, the temple bustles with activity as the devout congregate here to offer pujas to the deity during the Navratras.

Sriharu Temple : Another important temple, the Sriharu temple, is situated at a distance of about 5 km from Bageshwer. The devotees believe that prayers for wish fulfilment here never go in vein. Every year, a large fair is organised on the Vijya Dashmi day following the Navratras.

Gauri Udiyar : This is situated 8 km from Bageshwer. A large cave, measuring 20 X 95 sq mts is situated here, which houses the idols of Lord Shiva.

Chalsa

Chalsa is a small town situated just on the foot of the Himalayas in the Duars in Jalpaiguri district in West Bengal. This small town is surrounded by hills, tea gardens, rivers and forests. One part of the town is surrounded by Gorumara National Park and other part with Chapramari Wildlife Sanctuary. Nearby forests are residence of a good collection of elephants and rhinos. It is situated on the way towards Birpara or Alipurduar from Siliguri via Malbazar. It takes around 1.5 hours from Siliguri both on road and railways. It is 60 km from Bagdogra airport.

Chalsa can be your base for visit to other tourist destinations nearby including Samsing, Bindu, Murti etc. Arguably one of the best resorts of Dooars, the Sinclair's retreat is located on a hillock close to Chalsa. The place is also famous for the many tea gardens surrounding it. Apart from the Chalsa Tea garden, you can also take a stroll inside the beautiful Ivill tea garden.

Champawat

Champawat district is a district of Uttarakhand state in northern India. The town of Champawat is the administrative headquarters. The district of Champawat constituted in the year 1997. The district is divided into five tehsils: Barakot, Champawat, Lohaghat, Pati, Purnagiri.
Champawat district is part of the eastern Kumaon division of Uttarakhand. It is bounded on the north by Pithoragarh district, on the east by Nepal, on the south by Udham Singh Nagar district, on the west by Nainital district, and on the northwest by Almora district.

Activities in Champawat :

Nature Walks : Champawat is known for its lush green forest and undulating verdant hills that leaves one spellbound. The varied flora in this region comes out alive during the spring season. Several walking trails in and around Champawat could be explored. One can easily hike to the nearby villages in and around Champawat.

Village Tourism : The Kumaoni hamlets and villages can teach a lot about the culture and customs prevailing in the region. The hilly folks are warm and welcoming and would be happy to share their folklores and stories.

Corbett

Jim Corbett National Park is the oldest national park in India and was established in 1936 as Hailey National Park to protect the endangered Bengal tiger. It is located in Nainital district of Uttarakhand and was named after Jim Corbett who played a key role in its establishment. The park was the first to come under the Project Tiger initiative.

The weather in the park is temperate compared to most other protected areas of India. The temperature may vary from 5 °C (41 °F) to 30 °C (86 °F) during the winter and some mornings are foggy. Summer temperatures normally do not rise above 40 °C (104 °F). Rainfall ranges from light during the dry season to heavy during the monsoons.

Other attractions :

Dhikala is a well-known destination in the park and situated at the fringes of Patli Dun valley. There is a rest house, which was built hundred of years ago. Kanda ridge forms the backdrop, and from Dhikala, one can enjoy the spectacular natural beauty of the valley.

Jeep Safari is the most convenient way to travel within the national park; jeeps can be rented for park trips from Ramnagar.

Treks : tourists are not allowed to walk inside the park, but only to go trekking around the park in the company of a guide. The winter season is cold, so tourists should make proper arrangements for their clothing, if they are traveling in the winter season.

Corbett Falls is a 20 m (66 ft) water fall situated 25 km (16 mi) from Ramnagar, and 4 km (2.5 mi) from Kaladhungi, on the Kaladhungi–Ramnagar highway. The water falls is surrounded by dense forests and pin drop silence.

Didihat (Pithorgarh)

Didihat is a town and a nagar panchayat in Pithoragarh district in the state of Uttarakhand, India. It is one of the eleven administrative subdivisions of Pithoragarh district and also serves as its administrative headquarters. With a population of 6522, Didihat is located at a distance of 520 km (320 mi) from the state capital Dehradun.

Activities in Didihat :

Hiking : This wonderful little town brimming with greenery, beautiful landscapes and a peaceful charm encourages one to explore the mesmerizing vicinity around Didihat. The town offers some of the breathtaking Himalayan views of Panchchuli and Trishul peaks.

Camping : Due to inadequate accommodations in Didihat, camping is another inexpensive way to spend the night under the shimmering stars. Didihat offers various mesmerizing locations where a group of friends can erect a tent and start a bonfire.

Village Tourism : Didihat is a quaint little hillock located in a very remote part of Kumaon Himalayas. Being here you can experience the rustic lifestyle, customs and culture of the people in this remote location and relax unhindered by noisy crowds.

Dharchula

Dharchula is a town and a nagar panchayat in Pithoragarh district in the northern state of Uttarakhand, India. Dharchula is an ancient trading town for the trans-Himalayan trade routes. It is surrounded by high mountains and is situated in a valley, on the banks of the Kali River at 915 m (3,002 ft) elevation.

Summers are warm and shiny, whereas the winters are cold. The higher altitude regions of Dharchula (basically upper valleys) receives snow during the winter season (December to February end). The area also receives heavy rainfall during the rainy season (July–September) which disrupts the normal course of life of the people and often causes landslides in the mountain areas.

Activities in Dharchula :

Narayan Ashram : Narayan Ashram[3] is situated at an elevation of 2734 m. above sea level. It can be reached from Pithoragarh via Ogla(44 km from Pithoragarh), Jauljibi(77 km), Dharchula(94 km), Tawaghat (108 km). Jauljibi is the place where Dhauliganga and Kaliganga meet.
The ashram was established by Sri Narayan Swami in 1936. It can accommodate maximum 40 persons at a time. During winter season the ashram remains closed due to heavy snowfall. And rainy season may cause damage to the road. Ashram keeps on conducting various social - spiritual activities for the members so the visitors are strictly advised to convey about their plan to the ashram well in advance.

Kali River : The Kali River originates from the Greater Himalayas at Kalapaani at an altitude of 3,600 m, in the Pithoragarh District of Uttarakhand, India. The river is named after the Goddess Kali whose temple is situated in Kalapaani near the Lipu-Lekh pass at the border between India and Tibet. On its upper course, this river forms India's continuous eastern boundary with Nepal.

Dehradun

Dehladun or Dehra Dun is the capital city of the state of Uttarakhand in the northern part of India. Located in the Garhwal region, it lies 236 kilometres (147 mi) north of India's capital New Delhi and is one of the "Counter Magnets" of the National Capital Region (NCR) being developed as an alternative centre of growth to help ease the migration and population explosion in the Delhi metropolitan area and creation highways to establish a smart city dehradun.

The latitudinal extent of the region defines its climate. As the city is located between 30-31°N the climate is exclusively classified under Humid Subtropical Climate and is often Continental type. The climate is similar to Haldwani, Panchkula, Jammu or Siliguri. The city is also referred as the 'Rainy City of India' due to continuous and incessant rainfalls specially in monsoon. In fact 16–17 June rainfall was highest ever recorded rainfall of 370 mm rainfall that devastated whole Uttarakhand and nearby regions.

Dhanaulti

Dhanaulti is a hill station 24 km (15 mi) from the popular hill station of Mussoorie, and 31 km (19 mi) from Chamba, as it is situated between the two.
It is situated at an altitude of 2286m, and is known for its quiet environs amidst the alpine forests of Deodar, Rhododendron and Oak.

The summer temperatures in the town, range from 30 °C to 35.5 °C, while winter temperatures remain between 7 °C and -1 °C.

Attractions in Dhanaulti :

ECO-Park : It is the main attraction of Dhanaulti. There are two Eco-parks, "Amber" and "Dhara" about 200 m apart. It has been developed recently by the Forest Department of Uttarakhand with the help of local youth. About 60 local youth, both male and females are employed as Guides, Gardeners, Service providers, Ticket Collectors, Information Providers etc. It houses a protected patch of small forest containing Deodar Trees.There is an entry fee of Rs 25 For Adults and Rs 10 for Children.
The adventure sports facility is available for visitors in the form of walking over the flying fox and burma bridges and riding horses. There is also a facility for visitors to plant a sapling of tree species in the memory of their beloved, which is called as memory sapling plantation.

Surkanda Devi Temple : 8 km (5.0 mi). From Dhanaulti, on the road towards Chamba lies the Surkanda Devi Temple, famous for its Ganga Dussehra fair in autumn. It is part of the Devi Darshan triangle, which offers trekking opportunities around Dhanaulti - Surkanda Devi, Chandrabadni and Kunjapuri.

Dharali

Located at a distance of 2 kms from Harsil, a locality in Gangotri, Dharali is a small scenic village most welcoming for those exploring it. The village poses as a picture that has come to life, with apple orchards all around. Also famous for red beans cultivation, Dharali is a delight for the creatively inclined. A small picturesque village surrounded by pine trees, river Ganga gushing close by and a wonderful view of the majestic Himalayas.

Gangotri

Gangotri is a town and a Nagar Panchayat (municipality) in Uttarkashi district in the state of Uttarakhand, India. It is a Hindu pilgrim town on the banks of the river Bhagirathi and origin of River Ganges.

The best time to visit the holy town of Gangotri is between the months of April to June.

Gangotri, the origin of the River Ganges and seat of the goddess Ganga, is one of the four sites in the Chota Char Dham pilgrimage circuit. The original Gangotri Temple was built by the Gurkha general Amar Singh Thapa. The river is called Bhagirathi at the source and acquires the name Ganga (the Ganges) from Devprayag onwards where it meets the Alaknanda. The origin of the holy river is at Gaumukh, set in the Gangotri Glacier, and is a 19 km trek from Gangotri.

Places to visit near the Gangotri Temple :

Bhagirath Shila is believed to be the holy rock where King Bhagirath prayed to Lord Shiva.Pandava Gufa, located 1.5 km from Gangotri, is the place where the Pandavas are believed to have meditated and rested en route Kailash. Pilgrims will have to trek up to the Pandava Gufa.

Gangolihat (Pithoragarh)

Gangolihat is a small Himalayan hill town in the Pithoragarh district of Uttarakhand, India. It is tehsil and sub divisional headquarters of the district.

Gangolihat is famous for its Shakti Peethas of Hat Kalika of goddess Kali. Nearby at 'Patal Bhubneshwar', underground caves are major tourist attraction. Also nearby are the tiny hill stations of Chaukori and Berinag.From Gangolihat Panchchuli peaks and Nanda Devi are clearly visible.

Places of interest :

Gangolihaat is famous for its ancient temples and underground caves. 'Haat Kalika', 'Ambika Dewaal', 'Chamunda Mandir', 'Vaishnavi Mandir' are some of the famous temples here. 'Vaishnavi Mandir' is a special one because from here one can clearly view the Himalayas. This temple is situated on a mountain that is called 'Shail Parvat', which is notable in Hindu holy books.
There are many beautiful underground caves in Gangolihaat. 'Patal Bhuvneshwar', 'Shailashwer Gufa' and 'Mukteshwar Gufa' are most notable ones. A new underground cave has been also found recently and that is called 'Bholeshwar Gufa' .The peak Bhurgottam near village Mallagrkha famous as place of Maharishi Bhrigu who was one of the seven great sages, the Saptarshis.
'Haat Kalika Mandir' was chosen by Adi Guru Sankaracharya for installation of one of the Shakti_Peethas. It is believed that the Original Goddess Kalika Mata, which supposed to be in West Bangal, shifted her place form Bangal to Gangolihat. This Temple is very famous all over India, specially among Indian Armed Forces. Posthumous Param Veer Chakra award winner Capt. Bikram Batra was a great devotee of Goddess. The goddess Mahakali is the designated goddess of the Kumaun Regiment. Kumaun regiment has created an Army Rest House near the Temple for Army Personnel, who come Gangloihat to get the blessing of Goddess.

Gaurikund

Gaurikund, situated amidst pristine Himalayan environs, is located in the district of Rudraprayag in the hill state of Uttarakhand in India. At an elevation of 1, 982 meters above the sea level, Gaurikund offers breathtaking panoramic view of snow capped higher Himalayan peaks. On clear days, one can even see the famous Kedarnath shrine from here.

Gaurikund, situated on the banks of river Mandakhini and about 5 Km from Sonprayag, is the last bus stop en route Kedarnath. From hereon, there is a steep climb to the celebrated destination of Kedarnath.

By road, it is well connected with important destinations of the region like Sonprayag, Rudraprayag, Haridwar, Rishikesh, Dehradun and so on. Nearest railhead is at Rishikesh and nearest airport is Jolly Grant of Dehradun.

Located a few kilometers away from the water tanks, this temple is unique in its own way. It is an ancient temple of beheaded Ganesha.

Gopeshwar

Chamoli Gopeshwar is a township in the Garhwal hills and a municipal board within Chamoli district. It is the administrative headquarters of the Chamoli District of Uttarakhand in India. Located 1,400 m (4,600 ft) above sea level, it is famous for its weather (pleasant most of the year, but very cold in December and January) and its temples. It is largest town in Chamoli district.

Gopeshwar is located at 30.42°N 79.33°E. It has an average elevation of 1,550 m (5,090 ft). Gopeshwar is said to be able to captivate any visitor with its mystic charm and pristine beauty. There are multiple snow-capped hills and peaks visable from Gopeshwar.

Gopeshwar is surrounded by four famous temples : Tungnath, Anasuya Devi, Rudranath, and Badrinath. The holy town of Kedarnath is also nearby.
A famous temple of Lord Shiva, now known as Gopinath Mandir, is situated there.

Gwaldam

Gwaldam is a Village in Tharali Tehsil in Chamoli District of Uttarakhand State, India. It is located 59 KM towards South from District head quarters Chamoli Gopeshwar. 10 KM from Tharali. 177 KM from State capital Dehradun.

The Best Time For You In Order To Travel Gwaldam Is During The Months Of February To July As Weather Is Pretty Enjoyable Between These Months And You Can Experience The Best Mesmerizing Trip During This Time. In Winter It's Advised To Bring Heavy Woolens As The Temperature Is Quite Low At This Time And In Summer You Can Take Light Woolen Clothes.

Guptakashi

Guptakashi, Gupta Kashi or Guptkashi is a fairly large town located at an elevation of 1,319 metres (4,327 ft) in the Kedar-khanda ('khanda' means "sector"), in Garhwal Himalayas of Rudraprayag district in Uttrakhand, India.

Guptakashi is located in the Northern Himalayan belt within the Mandakini river valley, which has lush green forests. A number of streams and rivulets drain into the main Mandakini River. It has salubrious climate with its elevation being around 1,319 metres (4,327 ft).

Attractive Place in Guptakashi :

Vishwanath Temple : One of the most popular temples of Guptkashi is Vishwanath Temple. The presided deity of the temple is Lord Shiva in form of Lord Vishwanath meaning 'Lord of the Universe'.
The temple is made out of regional stones and the tower is adorned with a wooden frame. In fact it resembles a lot to the kasha Vishwanath in Varanasi.

Manikarnik Kund : Manikarnik Kund located within the complex of Vishwanath temple is a place where Shiva Linga is presided. The Shiva Linga is bathed there from two source of water namely Ganesha's head and cow's head.
The most fascinating thing is that it is considered that the water from the two sources is coming from two holy rivers i.e. River Ganga and River Yamuna. The sight it present is absolutely captivating.

Haridwar

Haridwar About this sound pronunciation also spelled Hardwar is an ancient city and municipality in the Haridwar district of Uttarakhand, India. The River Ganga, after flowing for 253 kilometres (157 mi) from its source at Gaumukh at the edge of the Gangotri Glacier, enters the Indo-Gangetic Plains of North India for the first time at Haridwar, which gave the city its ancient name, Gangadwára.

The best time to visit this holy city is during winters, more specifically during the month from October to March. The months from October to March are also favorable for tourism from the festival point of view. Since festival like Diwali and Kanwar Mela are celebrated in the city with much festivity. During summer temperature range between 18 °C to 40 °C while in winter temperature shows a fall and can reach as low as 6°C. In the monsoon season the city receives moderate rainfall which leads to increase in humidity and make the day activities a challenge.

Attractive Place in Haridwar :

Chandi Devi Temple : The temple is dedicated to Goddess Chandi, who sits atop the 'Neel Parvat' on the eastern bank of the river Ganges. It was constructed in 1929 A.D. by the king of Kashmir, Suchat Singh. Skanda Purana mentions a legend, in which Chanda-Munda, the Army Chief of a local Demon Kings Shumbha and Nishumbha were killed by goddess Chandi here, after which the place got the name Chandi Devi. It is believed that the main statue was established by the Adi Shankaracharya in 8th century A.D. The temple is a 3 km trek from Chandighat and can also be reached through a ropeway.

Mansa Devi Temple : Situated at the top of Bilwa Parwat, the temple of Goddess Mansa Devi, literally meaning the Goddess who fulfills desires (Mansa), is a popular tourist destination, especially because of the cable cars, which offer a picturesque view of the entire city. The main temple houses two idols of the Goddess, one with three mouths and five arms, while the other one has eight arms.

Harsil

Harsil is a village and a cantonment area on the banks of the Bhagirathi River, on the way to the Hindu pilgrimage, Gangotri, in Uttarkashi district of the Indian state of Uttarakhand ).
Situated at a height of 7,860 ft (2,620 metres.) from sea level, Harsil lies 73 km. from Uttarkashi, and 30 km away from Harsil lies the Gangotri National Park, spread over 1,553 square km.

Attractive Place in Harsil :

Sattal : A few kilometers from Harsil, Sattal is a cluster of seven lakes which is surrounded by breathtakingly beautiful surroundings. You can take a 7 km trek from Harsil. The journey is simply beautiful and you will feel that nature welcomes you at every turn of the road.

Gangotri : Located 24 kms from Harsil, this is an important religious place for the Hindus. On the banks of the River Ganges, the Gangotri Temple was built by Gorkha General Amar Singh Thapa.

Spend a few days in the lap of nature amidst serenity and solitude and bring home the memories of a beautiful retreat.

Jageshwar Almora

Jageshwar is a Hindu pilgrimage town in Almora district, Uttarakhand, believed to carry the Nagesh Jyotirlinga dedicated to Shiva, located 36 km northeast of Almora, in Kumaun region.

The Jageshwar Monsoon Festival, held between 15 July to 15 August takes place at Jageshwar during the Hindu calendar month of Shravan and the annual Maha Shivratri Mela (Shivratri festival), which takes place during spring has an important place in the calendar of the entire Kumaon region.

Attractive Place in Jageshwar Almora :

Jageshwar Mahadev : Tarun Jageshwar is one of the principal temples situated in the temple premises. The temple has two dwarapalas (door guardians) in the form of the armed Nandi and Skandi. This is a west facing temple of Shiva. Here, Shiva is worshipped in the form of Nagesh/Jageshwar. In the sanctum sanctorum of the temple, the Shivlinga is divided into two parts. The larger one depicts Shiva and smaller one his consort Parvati. An Akhand Jyoti, (an immortal flame) burns in the temple. There are two Asthadhatu statues of Chand Kings Deepchand and Tripalchand in the standing posture behind the Shivlinga.

Jhanker Sam Mahadev : This temple is situated south of Jageshwar. Legend has it that during the Tapasya by Shiva, Demons obstruct His penance. Then God Jhanker "Sam" come into being as Trinetra and send His Ganas to kill the demons. It is believed that Sam will come to Kot Linga temple premises to save humanity and Jageshwar in Kalyuga.

Sri Briddha or Bud Jageshwar : This temple is situated three km north to Jageshwar.This temple is situated at the top of the hill and comes after an uphill trek. It is contemporary to Jageshwar group of temples.

Joshimath

Jyotirmath, also known as Joshimath is a city and a municipal board in Chamoli District in the Indian state of Uttarakhand. Located at a height of 6150 feet, it is gateway to several Himalayan mountain climbing expeditions, trekking trails and pilgrim centres like Badrinath.

Attractive Place in Joshimath :

Shankaracharya Math This is the math established by Adi Shankaracharya in North India. The Math is having temple of Badrinarayan and Rajrajeshwari Devi. It has a sacred cave where Adi Shankaracharya supposedly undertook tapasya.

Narsinh Temple This is an ancient temple of Lord Vishnu in Narsingh Avtar and main temple of Joshimath. It has idol of Lord Narsingh, which is considered established by Shankaracharya. As per local belief, the right hand of this idol has become as thin as hair. On the day when it will break, the mountains Jay-Vijay (which are situated on a way to Badrinath) shall join and become one and Lord Badrinath of Badrinath temple will disappear from present temple and re-appear as black stone (Shaligram) at new place called Bhavishya Badri, which is situated at a distance of 10 km from Joshimath. When Badrinath temple remain closed during winter every year, one idol of Lord Badri is brought to Narsinh temple and worshiped for six months.

Bhavishya Kedar Temple As Per local belief, present Kedarnath will disappear along with Badrinath and re-appear in Bhavishya Kedar temple at Joshimath. This temple has small shivling.

Kedarnath

Kedarnath is a town located in the Indian state of Uttarakhand and has gained importance because of Kedarnath Temple. It is a nagar panchayat in Rudraprayag district. The most remote of the four Chota Char Dham sites, Kedarnath is located in the Himalayas, about 3,583 m (11,755 ft) above sea level.

During winter due to heavy snowfall, the Temple is closed and no one stays in Kedarnath. For six months (November to April) the Palki with the utsava murti of Lord Kedarnath is transferred to a place near Guptakashi called Ukhimath. People shift their settlement too from Kedarnath to nearby villages. Around 360 families of Tirtha Purohit of 55 villages and other nearby villages are dependent on Kedarnath for livelihood.

Places of interest : Other than Kedarnath temple, on the eastern side of the town is Bhairava temple and the deity of this temple, the Bhairava, is believed to protect the town during winter months. About 6 km upstream from the town, lies Chorabari Tal, a lake cum glacier also called Gandhi Sarovar. Near Kedarnath, there is a cliff called Bhairav Jhamp, from where pilgrims used to jump to death, believed to get instant moksha or salvation and this practice was banned by British Government in the 19th century.

Kathgodam

Kathgodam is a town in the Nainital district of Uttarakhand state of India. It is part of the twin township of Haldwani-Kathgodam, and is immediately north of Haldwani. It is one of the important collection centres for forest products obatained from Kumaon Himalayas.

Kathgodam is located at 29.27°N 79.53°E. It has an average elevation of 554 metres (1,483 feet). It is situated on the banks of the Gaula river.
Kathgodam is one of the most picturesque locations situated in the Bhabar region, the foothills of Kumaon Himalayas.

Places of interest : Close to Kathgodam are beautiful temples called 'Sheetla devi' and 'Kalichaud' which attract large numbers of devotees from the surrounding region during festivals. Kathgodam also leads a way to one of the beautiful ashram called as Hairakhan.
There is a beautiful dam which is built on the Gola River.
Schools include the Maharishi school, Nirmala Convent High School, St. Theresa School, St. Paul's Senior Secondary School, Naini Valley School and Inspiration School (these arranged from katghodam to haldwani).
College include Kumaun Institute of Information Technology (KIIT) on Nainital road and Pahal Institution for capacity building close to the railway station.

Lohaghat

Lohaghat is a town and a nagar panchayat in Champawat district in the Indian state of Uttarakhand. Lohaghat is a very beautiful hill station with many tourist spots around.

Lohaghat on the banks of Lohawati River in Champawat district is one of the important places for its temples. Located at an altitude of 1706 metres, Lohaghat is a few kilometers from Pithoragarh. This ancient town of Lohaghat has historical and mythological importance which attracts a number of tourists. Mostly devotees and pilgrims from all over drop into Lohaghat before visiting Advaita Ashram which is also called the Mayawati Ashram. A sleepy little town of Uttaranchal it shot to fame because of the beautiful temples and fascinating locales nearby.

Tourist attractions :

Mayawati Ashram – Located at a distance of 9 km from Lohaghat this is famous for the Advaita Ashram which attracts pilgrims and tourists from all over the world.

Advaita Ashrama at Mayavati is a branch centre of the worldwide Ramakrishna Math and was founded in 1899 by the English-disciple couple of Swami Vivekananda, Captain and Mrs Sevier. The first head of this ashrama was Swami Swarupananda, a disciple of Swami Vivekananda. This ashrama houses the editorial office of Prabuddha Bharata a monthly English journal. There is also a charitable hospital run by this ashrama.

Abbot Mount – Situated 7 km from Lohaghat this is one of the most serene locales near Lohaghat. Spend a few moments amidst serenity in Abbot Mount.

Mukteshwar

Mukteshwar is a town and tourist destination in the Nainital district of Uttarakhand, India. It sits high in the Kumaon Hills at an altitude of 2286 meters (7500 feet), 51 km from Nainital, 72 km from Haldwani, and 343 km from Delhi.

Mukteshwar has a subtropical highland climate. The pattern of seasons is similar to that in other parts of northern India, with distinct summer, monsoon and winter seasons. However, due to its high elevation, Mukteshwar is spared the intense heat of lower-lying towns and cities. Mukteshwar has cold winters and relatively cool summer with drastically escalated rain, in relation with lower altitudes, and frequent fog. Summers are warm with moderate rainfall, while the monsoon season is slightly cooler and features much heavier rain. Winters can be quite cool, and temperatures below freezing are not unusual. Snowfall occurs occasionally in December and January, though it is sparse, while the heavy rainfall events occurs during the monsoon season stretching from July to September.

Tourist attractions :

Mukteshwar gets its name from an 350-year-old temple of Shiva, known as Mukteshwar Dham, situated atop the highest point in the town, on the veterinary institute's campus. Close to it lie the overhanging cliffs, locally known as Chauli-ki-Jali, used for rock climbing and rappelling, with an excellent view of the valleys below. The sunrise point is at the government-run PWD guest house. One can also visit the Indian Veterinary Research Institute (IVRI).

Munsiari

Munsiari is the name of the sub-division headquarters, a conglomeration of revenue villages and it also refers to the entire region as Munsiari Tehsil and Sub Division in the Pithoragarh District in the hill-state of Uttarakhand, India.
It lies at the base of the great Himalayan mountain range, at an elevation of about 2,200 m (7,200 ft) and is a starting point of various treks into the interior of the range.

Tourist attractions :

Its name refers to a 'place with snow'. Situated on the banks of Goriganga river, it is a fast-growing tourist destination, and mountaineers, glacier enthusiasts, high altitude trekkers and nature lovers commonly use it as their hub or base camp. Munsiari also falls on the ancient salt route from Tibet and is at the entrance of the Johar Valley, which extends along the path of the Gori ganga river to its source at the Milam Glacier. It is inhabited mainly by people of a few different caste groups including the Shauka tribe, dalits or Scheduled Castes and people categorized in other general castes comprising Kshatriya's, Pandits with a few Muslim, Sikhs, Christians and Buddhists.
Munsiari bazaar is a conglomeration of revenue villages and is not categorized as a town. The bazaar area comprises the villages of Malla Ghorpatta and Bunga, while Naya Basti, Sarmoli, Nana Sem, Jainti, Papdi villages form the periphery of the area popularly called Munsiari. The main bazaar area faces east towards the himalayan Panchachuli ranges.
The upper part of Munsiari is called Malla Johar, which comprises of 14 trans-humant alpine villages, that are seasonally occupied during the months of May to early November.

Mussoorie

Mussoorie is a hill station and a municipal board in the Dehradun District of the northern Indian state of Uttarakhand. It is located about 35 km from the state capital of Dehradun and 290 km north from the national capital of New Delhi. It is a captivating paradise for leisure travellers and honeymooners. A perfect summer resort and a major educational and cultural centre has been rolled into one hub. Located on a 15 km long horseshoe ridge with the grand Himalayas as a backdrop, the colonial hill resort of Mussoorie spreads across at a height of 2,005.5 m above sea level. From this vantage point, Mussoorie offers superb scenic view of peaks of the Himalayas in western Garhwal. Mussoorie boasts of some of the most spectacular views of the Himalayas.

The climate is cool and pleasant all through the year but the best time to visit is from September to June.

Tourist attractions :

Its GunHill Second highest point of Mussoorie, at an altitude of 2024m located at 30.4953°N 78.0745°E.

Kempty Falls The Kempty Falls are situated on the hilly tracks of Uttarakhand, India, 15 km from Mussoorie on the Chakrata Road. This place is located nearly 1364 meters above sea level at 78°-02'East longitude and 30° -29'North latitude.

Nag Devta Temple An ancient temple dedicated to Snake God Lord Shiva and is situated on Cart Mackenzie Road about 6 km from Mussoorie on the way to Dehradun. Vehicles can go right up to the temple. This place provides an enchanting view of Mussoorie and the Doon Valley.

Nainital

Nainital About this sound pronunciation is a popular hill station in the Indian state of Uttarakhand and headquarters of Nainital district in the Kumaon foothills of the outer Himalayas. Situated at an altitude of 2,084 metres (6,837 ft) above sea level, Nainital is set in a valley containing a pear-shaped lake, approximately two miles in circumference, and surrounded by mountains, of which the highest are Naina (2,615 m (8,579 ft)) on the north, Deopatha (2,438 m (7,999 ft)) on the west, and Ayarpatha (2,278 m (7,474 ft)) on the south. From the tops of the higher peaks, "magnificent views can be obtained of the vast plain to the south, or of the mass of tangled ridges lying north, bounded by the great snowy range which forms the central axis of the Himalayas.

The city is a bit dry during winter and very wet during summer due to South Asian monsoon system. The lowest precipitation total occurs in November with total 7.9 millimetres (0.31 in), while the highest precipitation total occurs in July with total 725 millimetres (28.5 in). Like most places in temperate region, Nainital has relative cool summer. The hottest month is July with temperature ranging from 16.4 °C (61.5 °F) to 23.5 °C (74.3 °F), while the coldest month is January with temperature ranging from 1.7 °C (35.1 °F) to 10.7 °C (51.3 °F).

Ukhimath

Ukhimath is a small town and a Hindu pilgrimage site in Rudraprayag district, Uttarakhand, India. It is situated at an elevation of 1311 meters and at a distance of 41 km from Rudraprayag.

Ukhimath is a perfect place for travelers looking to enjoy the peaceful and pristine serenity of a hill station without the crowds. Earlier known as Ushamat, the town derived its name from Banasur's daughter Usha. Ukhimath was the land where the wedding of Usha and Anirudh, grandson of Lord Krishna was solemnized. It is also a famous pilgrimage center and known for its ancient temples dedicated to Usha, Lord Shiva, Goddess Parvati, Aniruddha and Mandhata. Utsav Doli of Lord Kedarnath and Madhyamaheswar are brought to Ukhimath during winter and worshiped for six months. The temple also holds year round pujas of Lord Omkareshwar. Situated on the road connecting Guptkashi with Gopeshwar, the holy town is mainly inhabited by the priests of Kedarnath temple known as Rawals. From here, tourists also visit many other off-beat tourist destinations like the holy town of Madhmaheshwar, the ancient temple of Tungnath and the Deoria Tal Lake.

Best Places to Stay in Ukhaimath : Accommodation options are limited in Ukhimath. Only a few budget hotels and lodges are available. It is advisable to book rooms in advance. The state government tourist guest house offers basic amenities. Tourists also prefer to stay at Chamoli which has several options for stay ranging from budget to mid-range ones.

Pauri

Pauri is a town and a municipal board in Pauri Garhwal district in the Indian state of Uttarakhand. Pauri is the seat of the Divisional Commissioner of the Garhwal Division.

The region has a sub-temperate to temperate climate, which remains pleasant throughout the year. The climate of Pauri is very cold in winters and the region experiences low to moderate snowfall in the months of January or February. The climate is soothing in summer when flowers bloom in the nearby forests and tourists flock to town. In rainy season the climate is very cool and lush greenery covers the town.

Places of interest :

Kandoliya Mandir- Kandoliya devta is the local deity, referred in the local language as the bhumi devta. The temple has been in the area for years, amidst thick pine forest. In the region, it is a custom to begin every auspicious work with the blessings of Kandoliya thakur. Every year, a bhandara (feast) is held in the month of May–June in the temple. It is attended by lakhs of devotees.

Nag Dev Mandir- Nag Dev is a small temple located in the Pine and Rhododendron forest region. The temple belongs to the nag devta (the snake god). Located away, from the hustles and bustles of town, the place offers solace to the tired soul.

Laxmi Narayan Temple- Located on the main Laxmi-Narayan Temple Road in the main city and is visited by locals round the day. The temple is named after Lord Laxmi Narayan or Vishnu. It also houses a Shiv temple, Hanuman temple, Durga temple, Ganesha Temple.

Pithoragarh

Pithoragarh district is the easternmost Himalayan district in the state of Uttarakhand, India.

Pithoragarh town, being in a valley, is relatively warm during summer and cool during winter. During the coldest months of December and January, the tropical and temperate mountain ridges and high locations receive snowfall and have an average temperature of 5.5–8.0 °C (41.9–46.4 °F). Pithoragarh district has extreme variation in temperature due to the large variations in altitude. The temperature rises from mid-March through mid-June. The areas above 3,500 metres (11,500 ft) remain in a permanent snow cover. Regions lying at 3,000–3,500 metres (9,800–11,500 ft) become snowbound for four to six months. At places like the river gorges at Dharchula, Jhulaghat, Ghat and Sera, temperatures reach 40 °C (104 °F). The annual average rainfall is 36.7 centimetres (14.4 in).After June the district receives monsoon showers. Winter is a time for transhumance – the seasonal migration of the Bhotiya tribe with their herds of livestock to lower, warmer areas.

Places of interest :

Askot Musk Deer Sanctuary- Askot Musk Deer Sanctuary is a 599.93 km² wildlife sanctuary located around Askot near Didihat, in Pithoagarh district of the Himalaya of Kumaon in Uttarakhand, India.

Dharchula- Dharchula is a nagar panchayat in Pithoragarh district in the state of Uttarakhand, India. Dharchula is a beautiful valley surrounded by mountains. An ancient trading town for the trans-Himalayan trade routes, it is covered by high mountains and is situated on the banks of the river Kali. Dharchula is about 90 km far away from Pithoragarh and it lies on the route to the Kailash-Mansarovar pilgrimage tour. The town is virtually split between India and Nepal near the border with Tibet. The Indian side of the town is known as Dharchula whereas its Nepalese counterpart is known as Darchula.

Didihat- Didihat, 54 km from Pithoragarh, is a beautiful place with lush natural beauty. Clear view of Himalaya is observed from this place, especially Panchchuli range. Famous for ancient Shira-kot Temple of Lord Malay Nath, built by Reka Kings. Nearby, ten km away from here Narayan Swamy Ashram at Narayan Nager is situated.

Ranikhet

Ranikhet is a hill station and cantonment town in Almora district in the Indian state of Uttarakhand. Ranikhet is at an altitude of 1,869 metres (6,132 ft) above sea level and within sight of the western peaks of the Himalayas.

Ranikhet becomes very cold in the winters and remains moderate in summers, and is best enjoyed from March to October. Ranikhet gets snowfall in the winter season, mainly in the months of December, January and February.

Places to visit :

Golf Course- Ranikhet Golf Course is one of the highest golf courses of Asia, located 5 kilometres (3 mi) from main Ranikhet City. Ranikhet Golf Course is a 9-hole course making it one of the prime attractions of Ranikhet. The green meadow of the golf course at such high altitude is awe-inspiring. The golf club provides membership plans for outsiders as well .Golf course is located in KALIKA.

Ashiyana Park- Ashiyana Park is situated in the midst of Ranikhet town. The Park is specially designed & developed for children on jungle theme by Ranikhet Cantt.

Mankameshwar Temple- This temple is attached to the Nar Singh Maidan (Ground), constructed by the Kumaon regiment. Opposite the temple is a Gurudwara and a Shawl factory.

Ramngar

Ramnagar is a small town and municipal board in the Nainital district of Uttarakhand, India. It is located approximately 65 kilometres (40 mi) from Nainital, the headquarters of the district.

Places to visit :

Corbett National Park- Corbett National Park is 10 km from Ramnagar. It is spread across 86 km north of Ramnagar. Established in 1936 as the Hailey National Park, Corbett National Park is the oldest and one of the most sought after national parks in India. It is India's first sanctuary to come under Project Tiger. The park was named after the hunter-naturalist turned author and photographer, Jim Corbett who lived in the region and contributed in setting up this park. Visitors can move about in vehicles inside the park area after making entries at the respective gates. Tourists now cannot drive their own cars inside Corbett. They have to hire jypsies with permits from Ramnagar. Permits are necessary for entering Corbett Tiger Reserve. Permits are issued at the CTR Reception Office at Ramnagar. Other places worth visiting in the region are the Crocodile Pool, Dhikala Machaan, Getheryo Library (Dhikala), Corbett Museum(Dhangadi gate), Corbett falls.

Tumaria Dam- It is located about 17 km from Ramnagar in Maldhan village, it's a place to chill out and a major tourist attraction.

Rudraprayag

Rudraprayag is a town and a municipality in Rudraprayag district in the Indian state of Uttarakhand. Rudraprayag is one of the Panch Prayag (five confluences) of Alaknanda River, the point of confluence of rivers Alaknanda and Mandakini. Kedarnath, a Hindu holy town is located 86 km from Rudraprayag.

Places to visit :

Rudranath Temple- Rudraprayag is named after Lord Shiva and temple of lord Rudranath is situated at the confluence of Alaknanda and Mandakini. According to mythology Narada Muni worshiped god Shiva here to learn music from him. The god then taught him music in his form of Rudra (Lord of Music). There used to be a rock called Narad Shila where Narada is said to have sat in meditation.

Rishikesh

Rishikesh is a city, municipal council and a tehsil in Dehradun district of the Indian state, Uttarakhand. In Rishikesh, the winters last from November to March, when temperatures fall below 0°C. The monsoons are generally experienced in the months of July and August.

The best months to visit are March to June and September-October.

Places to visit :

Rishikesh abounds in temples. Most of the pilgrims who pass through Rishikesh on their way to the Himalayan shrines of the Char Dham pause for a holy dip and puja at Triveni Ghat, in the central part of the town. The river here looks especially spectacular during aarti (evening worship) when diyas or oil lamps float on the water. Nearby is the Bharat Mandir, Rishikesh's oldest temple, dedicated to Lord Vishnu.
The Chandreshwar temple stands at the confluence of the Chandrabhaga and the Ganges. The Hanuman Mandir is flocked by a large number of devotees on Tuesday.
The dense-knit complex of cafés, shops and ashrams collectively known as Swarg Ashram, opposite Shivananda Nagar, is the most attractive part of Rishikesh, backing on to forested hills where caves are still inhabited by sadhus or hermits. The large courtyard of the Parmarth Ashram here is crammed with brightly clad statues of gods and goddesses. Around 2 km north of Swarg Ashram, a path skirts the east bank of the river en route to Lakshman Jhula. The Lakshman Jhula is a 450-feet-long suspension bridge and was built in 1939. The Lakshman Temple on the west bank has been built to commemorate the journey of Lakshmana across the river on a jute rope. Many of the temples and ashrams around both ends of the bridge-such as the extraordinary Kailashananda Ashram, with each of its thirteen stories dedicated to a different deity-are always filled with devotees. It is a pleasant 2-km walk from this place to the Shivananda Jhula. Ganga Museum has one of the richest collections of Mughal and Rajput paintings of the 18th and 19th centuries. The tomb of Fateh Jang, built in honor of one of Shahjahan's ministers, combines Islamic and Hindu architectural features. The Jaisamand Lake is a large artificial lake constructed by Maharaja Jai Singh in 1910 and makes an excellent picnic spot. The Vijay Mandir Palace is the royal residence of Maharaja Jai Singh, uninhabited except for old retainers. This palace serves as a window to the lifestyle of the princes.

Sonprayag

Sonprayag is a place of religious significance located in-route to Kedarnath Dham. Prayag means confluence and Sonprayag lies at the confluence of two holy rivers Basuki and Mandakini. In Hindu religion, bath at the Prayags is believed to be holy and attainment of Moksha is possible.
Sonprayag offers a scintillating views of snow covered mountains and lush green Sonprayag valley. It is situated at an elevation of 1829 mtrs above sea level. Famous temple of Triyuginarayan (Trijuginarayan) in Triyugi village is also located near Sonprayag.

Places to visit :

Kalimath Temple- Kalimath is a religious place located on the banks of Saraswati river in Rudraprayag district. Located at a height of 1800 mtr, Kalimath is one of the 108 Shakti Peeths in Uttarakhand. Kalimath lies on lap of nature offering salubrious and divine environment. Goddess Kali Temple is located in Kalimath.
Legends believe that after killing devil Raktbeej, Goddess Kali went underneath the ground at this place. A silver plate (Sri Yantra) covering a point where Goddess Kali entering the earth is worshipped by pilgrims and devotees. A Kali Mata Temple was built around the silver plate. The silver plate is never opened except on the eighth day of Navratri when Sri Yantra is taken out of the temple and only Chief Priest perform Puja at midnight.

Triyugi Narayan Temple - Triyugi Narayan Temple is a well known Hindu pilgrimage located at Triyugi village in Rudraprayag district of Uttarakhand. Lord Vishnu is the deity of the Triyugi Narayan temple. Hindu scripture narrates this place where Lord Shiva and Parvati married. As wedding is done in front of Lord Vishnu, so Triyugi Narayan Temple was built at that place. This temple is also called by Trijugi Narayan Temple sometimes. Located at height of 1980 mtrs, this temple offers panoramic views of snow covered mountains with beauty of Garhwal hill region.

Tanakpur

Tanakpur is a town and a municipal board in Champawat district of the Indian state, Uttarakhand.

Tanakpur is a quiet little town located on the edge of Tarai areas of Champawat district in Kumaon within the hill state of Uttarakhand in India. Tanakpur is just 3 Km away from the Indo-Nepal border.
Situated at an elevation of 245 meters above the sea level, Tanakpur is a beautifully laid out town by the banks of river Sharda. The roads and pavement of this town are wide and one can comfortably explore Tanakpur on foot.
In terms of things do here, one can choose from a variety of activities like visiting places of worship, taking a stroll by the river side or just walking through the town. Tanakpur is also the doorway to the venerated Purnagiri temple and offers interesting excursions in the areas close by.

Places to visit :

Purnagiri Temple- One of the 108 Siddha Peeths, this Devi Temple is 21 km from Tanakpur, Tunyas is 17 km and from there 3 km trek leads to Purnagiri Temple. Tanakpur is linked by direct bus service with Lucknow, Delhi, Agra, Dehradun, Kanpur and other Districts.
During Navratras, in the Chaitra month of the Indian calendar, devotees in large number come here to have their wishes fulfilled. After worshipping Mata Purnagiri, people also pay their tributes to her loyal devotee Bada Sidth Nath at Brahmadev and Mahendra Nagar in Nepal.

Shyamlatal - Shyamlatal is a natural lake located in a beautiful hamlet at 30 km from Tanakpur town. As the name indicates, the lake is known by the word Shyaam which means little dark complex color used to describe Lord Krishna in Hindu religion. The blackish color of lake is due to its muddy water and surrounded hills.
Situated at an astounding height of 1500 meters above the sea level, the lake Shyamala Tal is located at 22.6 km from Tanakpur main market and about 56 km from Champawat Bus station. Shyamlatal Lake covers an area of more than 1.5 km2 area. There is a famous Swami Vivekananda Ashram located on the banks of lake visited by many people round the year.

Birgunj

Birgunj is a sub-metropolitan city and border town in Parsa District in the Narayani Zone of southern Nepal. It lies 183 km (114 mi) south of the capital Kathmandu, attached to north of the border of the Indian state of Bihar.

Places to visit :

Though it is not a tourist hot spot, you can see Lord Buddha stupa on a tiny hillock called Vishwa. Apart from this, Gadhi Mai is a well known Hindu goddess temple which holds a mighty fair every five years. Hindus from all over the world come here to sacrifice animals to show thankfulness to the goddess. Animals sacrificed on this occasion are one of the highest amounts in the world. To the west of Birgunj, Bindawasni mai is another historical and religious place. Jang Bhandur Rana, the first Rana prime minister held a massacre in which hundreds of people died as a result of a royal conspiracy. To the north of the city there is Parsa Wildlife Reserve, one of the biggest national parks, having hundreds of endangered species. Tigers, elephants, musk deer, Gharials, Red hornedbills, etc. are the main attractions.

Chitwan

The Chitwan District is one of 75 districts of Nepal, and is located in the southwestern part of Province No. 3 with Bharatpur, the fifth largest city of Nepal, as its district headquarters.

Chitwan has a tropical monsoon climate with high humidity all through the year. The area is located in the central climatic zone of the Himalayas, where monsoon starts in mid June and eases off in late September. During these 14–15 weeks most of the 2,500 mm yearly precipitation falls – it is pouring with rain. After mid-October the monsoon clouds have retreated, humidity drops off, and the top daily temperature gradually subsides from ±36 °C / 96.8 °F to ±18 °C / 64.5 °F. Nights cool down to 5 °C / 41.0 °F until late December, when it usually rains softly for a few days. Then temperatures start rising gradually.

Charkhol

Charcoal located at an elevation of 5000 feet sits pretty at the top of the eastern Himalayan range rewarding the tourists with natural abundance. Only 16 kilometers from Lolegaon and 22 kilometers from Kalimpong, Charcoal or Charkhol is a small Lepcha village tucked away in the lap of the Himalayas. Charcoal offers the most pristine forests in the eastern Himalayas and a breathtaking view of the Kanchenjunga which you will never forget in your life. Easy, simple, peaceful, Charcoal is arguably one of the best places for mind and body rejuvenation. With so much of greenery all around you, you will completely forget about the concrete jungle you have come from.

You can visit Charkhole throughout the year, but best season to visit Charkhole is October to November. In the post monsoon season it's expected to have a sunny weather and clear view of peaks.

Kathmandu

Kathmandu is the largest city and capital of Nepal and the namesake of the Kathmandu Valley. Once thought to be the fabled and inaccessible Shangri-La, Kathmandu is now a hub for independent travellers as well as a growing vacation spot catering to all budgets. As a result of considerable urban growth in recent decades, it is now part of one continuous urban area together with Patan to the south.

Kathmandu Valley is in the Warm Temperate Zone of Nepal (elevation ranging from 1,200–2,300 metres (3,900–7,500 ft)), where the climate is fairly temperate, atypical for the region. This zone is followed by the Cool Temperate Zone with elevation varying between 2,100–3,300 metres (6,900–10,800 ft). Portions of the city with lower elevations have a humid subtropical climate, while portions of the city with higher elevations generally have a subtropical highland climate. In the Kathmandu Valley the average summer temperature varies from 28–30 °C (82–86 °F). The average winter temperature is 10.1 °C (50.2 °F).
The city generally has a climate with warm days followed by cool nights and mornings. Unpredictable weather is expected given temperatures can drop to 3 °C (37 °F) during the winter. During a 2013 cold front, the winter temperatures of Kathmandu dropped to −4 °C (25 °F), and the coldest temperature was recorded in January 10, 2013 at −9.2 °C (15.4 °F). Rainfall is mostly monsoon-based (about 65% of the total concentrated during the monsoon months of June to August), and decreases substantially (100 to 200 cm (39 to 79 in)) from eastern Nepal to western Nepal. Rainfall has been recorded at about 1,400 millimetres (55.1 in) for the Kathmandu valley, and averages 1,407 millimetres (55.4 in) for the city of Kathmandu. On average humidity is 75%.

Pokhara

Pokhara is a metropolitan and the largest city of Nepal in terms of Area, which was announced after merging it with Lekhnath municipality and other neighbouring VDCs. It is the headquarter of Gandaki Zone and Kaski District. It is located 200 kilometres (120 miles) west of the capital Kathmandu.

The city has a humid subtropical climate; however, the elevation keeps temperatures moderate. Summer temperatures average between 25 and 33 °C, in winter around - 2 to 15 °C. Pokhara and nearby areas receive a high amount of precipitation. Lumle, 25 miles from the Pokhara city center, receives the highest amount of rainfall (5600 mm/year or 222 inches/year) in the country. Snowfall is not observed in the valley, but surrounding hills experience occasional snowfall in the winter. Summers are humid and mild; most precipitation occurs during the monsoon season (July - September). Winter and spring skies are generally clear and sunny. The highest temperature ever recorded in Pokhara was 38.5 °C (101.3 °F) on the 4th May 2013, while the lowest temperature ever recorded was 0.5 °C (32.9 °F) on the 13th January 2012 .

Chamba

Chamba is an ancient town in the Chamba district in the state of Himachal Pradesh, in northern India. The town lies on River Ravi, in a valley between two mountain ridges. Chamba is 56 km from Dalhousie via Khajjiar. The weather in Chamba is alpine. Summers (April-June) are mild and winters are cold (November-February). It experiences southwestern monsoon rains in July-September.

Chail

Chail is a hill station in Himachal Pradesh, India.

Chail is 44 km from Shimla and 45 km from Solan. The Chail Palace is well known for its architecture, the palace was built as summer retreat by the Maharaja of Patiala during the British Raj, on the land allotted to him by the British for former's assistance in the Anglo-Nepalese War. The cricket ground and a polo ground which is there at an altitude of 2,250 m was owned by erstwhile royal family of Patiala. It is the world's highest cricket ground.
Chail is also considered as the hiker's paradise. The area is away from the bustling life of the state capital Shimla.

Chail is situated at an altitude of 2,250 m. The place is surrounded by the forests of chir pine and gigantic deodars. Shimla, Solan and Kasauli can also be viewed at night from here. Chail is pleasant in summers and cold in winter. Average annual rainfall is about 150 mm.

Places to visit :

Sidh Baba ka Mandir :This temple was built by Maharaja Bhupender Singh, when a saint visited him in his dream and told him about the place being his place of meditation.
On this, the construction of the palace over the area was stopped and this temple was built which assumes immense religious significance amongst the locals.

Kali Temple :The temple is a popular religious spot in Chail and is also known for some breath-taking views and sceneries as well as for trekking, popular in this area.

Gurudwara Sahib :This Gurudwara too, was constructed by the Maharaja of Patiala, and though the structure isn't exactly elaborate, it signifies religious importance for the locals. The Gurudwara is also surrounded by lush greenery like most of the places in the area.

Dalhousie

Dalhousie is a hill station in Chamba district, in the northern state of Himachal Pradesh, India. It is situated on 5 hills and has an elevation of 1,970 metres above sea level.

Dalhousie, being a beautiful tourist spot, plays an important role in the economy of the state. The major industry is tourism. While Dalhousie has a large number of hotels to accommodate the visiting tourists, the town also offers several non-hotel stays like independent villas and bungalows, which offer an alternative to typical hotels. There are just over 600 hotels, which provide temporary jobs to about 5,000 to 8,000 individuals every year. This town alone counts for almost 110% of the GDP of rest of the state.

Places to visit :

Dalhousie has many places to visit. A favorite spot for tourists is the area near Alla. It is a potato field and it offers mesmerizing scenic landscape. Another popular spot is the area of Karelanu. It is famous for its precious water, which healed Subhas Chandra Bose. He was suffering from tuberculosis and he regularly drank the water from the natural spring in Karelanu and was healed. Some of the major tourist attractions of the town are: Dainkund Peak, Khajjiar, Bakrota Hills, Village Lohali, Gandhi Chowk(G.P.O), Bakrota Hills, Dalhousie Cantonment, Sadar Bazar, Tibetan Market, Panchpula, Kalatop and Kalatop Forest, Salooni about 50 km from Dalhousie provides a breathtaking view etc.

Dharmasala

Dharamshala is the winter capital of the Indian state of Himachal Pradesh and a municipal corporation in Kangra district. It also serves as the district headquarters. It was formerly known as Bhagsu. The Dalai Lama's residence and the headquarters of Central Tibetan Administration are in Dharamshala. Dharamshala is 18 kilometers from Kangra.

Fagu

Fagu is a tiny village aside a saddle-like mountain along Hindustan Tibet Road. A rare range of views is visible from here, which include vivid dales and snow clad peaks. The picturesque countryside is dotted with clusters of villages, fruit gardens and nearby terraced fields. Fog characterizes the hillside landscape endowed with romantic ambience. Most of the area is covered with conifers of Himalayan cedar and spruce. Located at an altitude of 2,450 m, Fagu, perhaps have derived its name from the fog itself.

The best time to visit Chamba is between April to August.

Places to visit :

Fagu Village - The village of Fagu is sparsely populated and the main industry here is agriculture. You will find the cattle grazing in the green fields until sunset.

Banthia Devta Temple - This Temple in Fagu reflects the craftsmanship of the locals with its extraordinary wood carvings.

Jwalamukhi

Jawalamukhi is a town and a nagar parishad in Kangra district in the Indian state of Himachal Pradesh. Jwala Devi is one of the major 'Shakti Peethas' of temple in India. Jawalmukhi temple is one of the most visited temples in Himachal Pradesh.

Jawalamukhi is located at 31.88°N 76.32°E. It has an average elevation of 610 metres (2,001 feet).

Places to visit :

Bharwain - Bharwain is a famous hill station in the Una District that has the ancient Chintpurni Devi temple. The temple is around 3 km away from Bharwain on the main Kangra-Hoshiarpur Road.

Kalpa

Kalpa is a small town in the Sutlej river valley, above Recong Peo in the Kinnaur district of Himachal Pradesh, Northern India, in the Indian Himalaya.

All the area of Kalpa enjoys a temperate climate due to its high elevation, with long winters from October to May, and short summers from June to September. During winter time heavy woolens are required when temperature goes below freezing point around -15 degree to - 20 degree.

June to August are the peak months when tourists from all across the world visit here for sightseeing tour, trekking and exploring the lush green valleys and forests.

Places to visit :

Reckong Peo - Located 260 km from Shimla, 7 km from Powari and 8 km from Kalpa. Reckong Peo is the headquarters of district Kinnaur.

Kothi - Just 3 km from Recong Peo. Kothi has a temple dedicated to the goddess Chanadika Devi. Set against a backdrop of mountains and groves of the deodar the temple has an unusual architectural style and fine sculpture. An exquisite gold image of goddess is enshrined in sanctum.

Kaza

The town of Kaza, Kaze or Kaja is the subdivisional headquarters of the remote Spiti Valley in the Lahaul and Spiti district of the state of Himachal Pradesh in the Western Himalayas of India. Spiti, which is a part of the Lahaul and Spiti district of Himachal, is a high altitude or cold desert having close similarities to the neighbouring Tibet and Ladakh regions in terms of terrain, climate and the Buddhist culture. Kaza, situated along the Spiti River at an elevation of 3,650 metres (11,980 ft) above mean sea level, is the largest township and commercial center of the valley .

Places to visit :

Key Monastery - It is one of the biggest and oldest Monasteries in Spiti and hence is the most important tourist destination in this region. It enshrines idols of Buddha in Dhyana position and also has a collection of ancient books and murals.
Situated at a height of 4112 meters, this Monastery was built in the 14th century and its architecture is influenced by Chinese style.

Dhankar Monastery - This Monastery is situated on a cliff between Kaza and Tabo. An amazing view of the Spiti river can be seen from here. This Monastery has a statue of 'Vairocharan' displaying four statues of Buddha seated in the 4 directions, along with ancient paintings, murals and texts.
A true insight into Buddhist religion and culture can be procured by a visit to this Monastery. It can be accessed by a motorable road.

Dhankar Lake - At a distance of 5 km from the Dhankar monastery that sits dangerously on a cliff, lies the Dhankar lake on the other side of the mountain. It takes about an hour to reach the lake after following a well marked trail from the monastery.
If you spend enough time at the lake, you can see the sky change colors and reflect on the crystal-like lake, making it more spell binding each time, within a span of just a few hours.

Khajjiar

Khajjiar is a hill station in Chamba district, Himachal Pradesh, India, located approximately 24 km from Dalhousie. Khajjiar sits on a small plateau with a small stream-fed lake in the middle that has been covered over with weeds. The hill station is surrounded by meadows and forests. It is about 6,500 feet (2,000 m) above sea level in the foothills of the Dhauladhar ranges of the Western Himalayas and peaks can be seen in the distance. It is part of the Kalatop Khajjiar Sanctuary.

Places to visit :

Khajjiar Lake - Khajjiar Lake is a small lake, surrounded by saucer-shaped lush green meadow and a floating island. The dense growth of weed called vacha has made its earth spongy. Now the banks stand covered by a thick layer of earth, formed by the years of dust settling down on the weeds.

Khajjinag temple - A little away from the lake is the temple of Khajji Nag belonging to the 12th century AD made by the king of chamba Preeti Singh . In the mandapa of the temple one can see the images of the Pandavas and the defeated Kaurvas hanging from the roof of the circumambulatory path. The sanctum of the temple has been beautifully carved from wood. This temple is dedicated to snake (Nāga) worship and there are some snake idols inside.

Kullu

Kullu or Kulu is the capital town of the Kullu district in the Indian state of Himachal Pradesh. It is located on the banks of the Beas River in the Kullu Valley about 10 kilometres (6.2 mi) north of the airport at Bhuntar.

December and January during winter observe lowest temperatures ranging from −4 to 20 °C (25 to 68 °F), with some snowfall.Evenings and mornings are very cold during winters. Annual highest temperature in summer ranges from 24 to 34 °C (75 to 93 °F) during May to August. Months of July and August are rainy because of monsoon, having around 150 mm (5.9 in) rainfall monthly. Climate is pleasant in October and November.

The best time to visit Kullu is in summers, between April and June. It is also visited in October during the Dussehra festival.

Places to visit :

Raghunath Temple - In the 17th century, Raja Jagat Singh of Kullu committed a great mistake. To atone for the sin, he sent a senior courtier to Ayodhya for a statue of Lord Raghunath - Lord Rama. This temple was built by Raja Jagat Singh to house the image and even today, is greatly revered. Every year international fair Dussehra is celebrated with local deities in honour of lord Raghunath.

Shringi Rishi Temple- Banjar - About 60 km. from Kullu is Banjar valley wherein Shringi Rishi Temple is located. Shringi Rishi is the ruling deity of Banjar valley. In fact, before the Lord Rama's advent into Kullu valley from Ayodhya Puri,Lord Shringi was the ruling deity of Kullu. Shringi rishi is one among the "atthara kardoo" (eighteen chief deities) of the Kullu valley.

Devta Narsingh - A famous temple of deity 'Narsingh', situated in Sultanpur block of Kullu.

Keylong

Keylong is the administrative centre of the Lahaul and Spiti district in the Indian state of Himachal Pradesh, 126 km (78 mi) north of Manali and 120 km (75 mi) from the Indo-Tibetan border. It is located along the Manali-Leh Highway, about 7 km (4.3 mi) north-east of intersection of the Chandra Valley, the Bhaga Valley, and the Chenab Valley; on the banks of Bhaga River.

The annual Lahaul Festival is held here each July with a big, busy market and a number of cultural activities. In end of August it became very busy.

Places to visit :

Guru Ghantal - (8 km) regarded the oldest gompa in Lahaul and said to have been founded by the religious leader Padmasambhava in the 8th century.

Manali

Manali is a Valley nestled in the mountains of the Indian state of Himachal Pradesh near the northern end of the Kullu Valley, at an altitude of 2,050 m (6,726 ft) in the Beas River Valley. It is located in the Kullu district, about 270 km (168 mi) north of the state capital, Shimla, 309 km (192 miles) northeast of Chandigarh and 544 km (338 miles) northeast of Delhi, the federal capital.

The climate in Manali is predominantly cold during winter and moderately cool during summer. The temperatures range from 4 °C (39 °F) to 26 °C (79 °F) over the year. The average temperature during summer is between 10 °C (50 °F) and 26 °C (79 °F), and between −15 °C (5 °F) and 12 °C (54 °F) in the winter. Monthly precipitation varies between 31 mm (1.2 in) in November to 217 mm (8.5 in) in July. In average, some 45 mm (1.8 in) of precipitation is received during winter and spring months, increasing to some 115 mm (4.5 in) in summer as the monsoon approaches. The average total annual precipitation is 1,363 mm (53.7 in). Manali experiences snowfall predominantly between December and beginning of March. The month of January is when it is usually the highest.

Places to visit :

The oft-visited site in Manali is the Hidimba or Dhungri Temple. Erected in 1533, this temple is dedicated to the local deity Hidimba, wife of the Pandava prince, Bhim. A major festival is held here in the month of May. The temple is noted for its four-storeyed pagoda and exquisite wooden carvings.

Manali is known for its shiny gompas or Buddhist monasteries. With the highest concentration of Tibetan refugees in the entire Kullu valley, it is famous for its Gadhan Thekchhokling Gompa, built in 1969. The monastery is maintained by donations from the local community and through the sale of hand-woven carpets in the temple workshop.

The smaller and more modern Himalayan Nyingamapa Gompa stands nearer the bazaar, in a garden blooming with sunflowers. Its main shrine, lit by dozens of electric bulbs and fragrant with Tibetan incense, houses a colossal gold-faced Buddha, best viewed from the small room on the first floor.

Temple of Lord Shiva :This temple is hugely revered as it belongs to Lord Shiva. However, an earthquake in 1905 caused damage to the temple and it was slightly tilted. The importance of Manikaran is also judged from the fact that devtas of Kullu valley pay regular visit to this place on specified dates.

Mandi

Mandi Mandi, formerly known as Mandav Nagar, also known as Sahor, is a major town and a municipal council in Mandi District in the Indian state of Himachal Pradesh. It is situated 153 kilometres (95 mi) north of state capital, Shimla. Located in the north-west Himalayas at an average altitude of 850 metres (2,790 ft), the city of Mandi, experiences pleasant summers and cold winters.

Mandi features a subtropical highland climate under the Köppen climate classification. The climate of Mandi is composite having hot summers and cold winters. Mandi generally experiences rainfalls during end of summer season. Mandi city falls in the lower most climatic zone of the Himalayas. These regions enjoys a Wet-sub temperate climate of the foot hills (450-900m) as against the Dry-cold alpine climate with snow fall at higher altitudes (2400- 4800mts). Temperatures typically range from 6.7 °C (44.06 °F) to 39.6 °C (103.28 °F) over the course of a year. The average temperature during summer is between 18.9 °C (66.02 °F) and 39.6 °C (103.28 °F), and between 6.7 °C (44.06 °F) and 26.2 °C (79.16 °F) in winter. Monthly precipitation varies between 25.4 millimetres (1 in) in November to 228.6 millimetres (9 in) in August. It is typically around 58.3 millimetres (2.29 in) per month during winter and spring and around 101.6 millimetres (4 in) in June as the monsoon approaches. The average total annual precipitation is 832 millimetres (32.76 in).

Places to visit :

Gurudwara :Mandi has an historical Gurudwara in honour of Guru Gobind Singh, the 10th Sikh Guru, who spent some time in Mandi. The people and the ruler welcomed him with great warmth and supported the Guru in his war against the tyrannical rule of the Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb; it is said that the city has the Guru's blessings. The Gurdwara is also unofficially referred to as Gurudwara Palang Sahab, because the Guru's Bed 'Palang' is still preserved here.

Mosques :There are two mosques in Mandi city,one is in jail road and other is in Ramnagar (mangwayi).In both the mosques along with five times namaz (prayer), namaz-e-juma (Friday prayer) and namaz-e-Eid is also offered. There is also a mosque (Madina Mosque) near IIT Mandi North campus in the "Salgi" village, 16 km from main Mandi City.

Narkanda

Narkanda is a town and a nagar panchayat in Shimla district in the Indian state of Himachal Pradesh. It is at an altitude of 2708 meters on the Hindustan-Tibet Road (NH 22) in Himachal Pradesh, India. It is about 65 km from Shimla and surrounded by the Shivalik Range that span a large part of Himachal Pradesh.

Places to visit :

Tannu Jubbar Lake :This lake encircled with trees all around is an ideal picnic spot and to spend some relaxed time with the mountain watching over.

Mahamaya Temple, Kacheri :Located at distance of 7km form Narkanda is the Mahamaya Temple, dedicated to Goddess Kali. Set amidst breathtakingly beautiful surroundings with a sense of calm and serenity, this temple provides the perfect ambience for meditation and introspection.

Naldehra Shimla

Nestled between the beautiful lofty ranges of the Himalayas, lies the Naldehra hill station. The Naldehra hill resort near Shimla is no less than a picture perfect destination. The blue skies, lush green forests and an occasional rainbow thrown in makes the place look like it has been painted on a canvas. The most famous attraction of Naldehra hill station is the 18 - hole golf course that is considered to be the most challenging golf course. This is because it is situated at an altitude of 2044 meters! The golf course is one of the most gorgeous stretches of land in Naldehra.

Naldehra remained unnoticed till the beginning of this century when the then British viceroy, Lord Curzon, discovered it. He was totally mesmerized by the natural beauty of the place. While exploring the beautiful hill station, he came up with the idea of making a golf course here. The landscape of the place was just perfect to make a golf course. An entire hilltop was leveled to make way for the golf course to come up!

The Naldehra hill resort is the perfect place to unwind and relax amidst beautiful surroundings. The resorts have complete privacy and literally every window has a different view! There could be nothing better than waking up every morning and watch the sunrise from behind the hills. You could have a wonderful time just walking down the meandering roads amidst thick deodar trees and the light mist that covers the trees. Come to Naldehra to feel true magic and you shall never forget the experience for the rest of your lives.

Palampur

Palampur is a green hill station and a municipal council in the Kangra Valley in the Indian state of Himachal Pradesh, surrounded by tea gardens and pine forests before they merge with the Dhauladhar ranges. Palampur is the tea capital of northwest India but tea is just one aspect that makes Palampur a special interest place.

Palampur has a mild climate and can be visited throughout the year. However, the best time to visit Palampur is between March to June and mid-September to November.

Places to visit :

Neugal Cafe is popular cafe in Palampur. It is owned and run by Himachal Tourism. It is one of those attractions in town from where one can have view of the Dhauladhar mountains as well as the Neugal stream.

Devi Latti Jakhni's temple situated at the top of Chandpur village is a place to feel the beauty of Dhauladhar from very close.

Devi Latti Jakhni's temple situated at the top of Chandpur village is a place to feel the beauty of Dhauladhar from very close.

There is a trek to the Birni Mata temple from Bundla which winds through thick oak and rhododendron forests.

Mata Ashapuri Mandir view of Dhauladhar range vally view from Ashapuri as well as the Nagri

Rewalsar

Rewalsar is a small town and a nagar panchayat in Mandi district in the Indian state of Himachal Pradesh. The local name for Rewalsar is Trisangam.

Rewalsar is located at an altitude of 1360 m above sea level. It is connected to Mandi by a motorable road and is about 25 km from Mandi. Lying in the Southern Himalayan belt, winters in Rewalsar can be freezing, while summers are generally pleasant.

Places to visit :

Rewalsar Lake - The lake around which the town of Rewalsar is established has a maximum depth of 6.5 metres. The lake is oligotrophic in nature. It is rectangular in shape, with the catchment area situated to its north and west.

Religious places - At Rewalsar there are three Hindu temples. These are dedicated to the sage Lomas, to Lord Krishna and to Lord Shiva. There are two Tibetan monasteries located at opposite ends of the lake. Also there is a gurudwara was built in 1930 by Raja Joginder Sen of Mandi. It commemorates Guru Gobind Singh's visit, when he sought to evolve a common strategy with the hill rulers against the Mughal emperor Aurangzeb.

Other attractions - The forest department maintains a small zoo at Rewalsar. Above Rewalsar, the 'Seven Lakes' are also of interest.

Sangla

Sangla is a city in the Baspa Valley, also referred to as the Sangla valley, in the Kinnaur District of Himachal Pradesh, India, close to the Tibetan border.

Places to visit :

Kamru Fort - This fort is a perfect place for a glimpse in to the artistic legacy of past. Now converted into a temple, it is dedicated to Hindu Goddess Kamakhya Devi.
The fort comprises of wooden balcony with a large idol of the goddess is placed on third floor. The fort welcomes its visitors with a huge image of Lord Buddha on the main gate.

Bering Nag temple - An architectural wonder, this place is a must visit. It is considered as one of the most important temples for Hindus. This temple is devoted to Lord Jagas.
If you are travelling between the months of August and September, do not miss the famous Fulaich fair celebrated every year.

Sangla Meadow - Lush green meadows spotted with mud patches and a magnificent backdrop of snow covered Himalayan Mountains. What else could you ask for, to rejuvenate your mind, body and soul.
Also referred to as Sangla Kanda, it is one of most favored attractions in the area. This place should not be missed at any cost.

Shimla

Shimla also known as Simla, is the capital and largest city of the northern Indian state of Himachal Pradesh. It is the state capital and is at a distance of 343 km from Delhi, 260 km from Manali, and 119 km from Chandigarh. The temperature range is not very high and the maximum temperature rarely crosses 25°C during summers. Winters are cold due to the chilly winds from the upper Himalayas. Around Christmas, Shimla experiences snowfall. The best season to visit Shimla is between September and November.

Shimla, the beautiful hill station of Himachal Pradesh is charming all around the year. Every season brings about its unique beauty. Summers are pleasant and last from May to June. The lush green valleys are scenic and perfect for adventures. In winters, the entire landscape gets draped in powdery snow. The snowfall starts from late November and lasts till February. Snow adventures in the slopes brings crowds and the beauty is ethereal. In the rainy months; July to September, the hill station retains its charm and allures visitors for the serene tourist free ambiance. Shimla is pleasant every season. According to your preferences visit the capital city of hilly state nestled in the lap of Himalayas.

Places to visit :

The Mall - The Mall is the main shopping street of Shimla. It has many restaurants, clubs, banks, bars, post offices and tourist offices. The Gaiety Theatre is situated there.

Christ Church - Situated on the Ridge, Christ Church is the second oldest church in Northern India. It has a very majestic appearance and inside there are stained glass windows which represent faith, hope, charity, fortitude, patience and humility.

Kufri - 16 km from Shimla at a height of 8,600 ft, Kufri is the local winter sports centre, and has a small zoo.

Tabo

Tabo is a small town in the Lahaul and Spiti district on the banks of the Spiti River in Himachal Pradesh, India.

The town lies on the road between Rekong Peo and Kaza the sub-divisional headquarters of Spiti. The town surrounds a Buddhist monastery which, according to legend, is said to be over a thousand years old. The Dalai Lama has expressed his desire to retire to Tabo, since he maintains that the Tabo Monastery is one of the holiest. In 1996, HH the Dalai Lama conducted the Kalachakra initiation ceremony in Tabo, which coincided with the millennium anniversary celebrations of the Tabo monastery. The ceremony was attended by thousands of Buddhists from across the world. Tabo Monastery's spiritual head is Tsenshap Serkong Rinpoche.

Places to visit :

The temples within the monastery complex in Tabo have a plethora of wall paintings and mud statues. The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) attempted to restore some paintings that were ravaged by time, but were not very successful. Photography, however, is not permitted inside the monastery.

Chandigarh

Chandigarh is a city and a union territory of India that serves as the capital of the Indian states of Haryana and Punjab.

The best time to visit Chandigarh is between the months of October and March when the weather is enjoyable and is favorable for a city tour. During the day, the temperatures remain in the range of 20-30 degree C. During night, the minimum temperature in winters in January drops to 2 or 1 degrees C.
During the summer months, the heat is scorching when the temperature rises above the 40 degree C. The days of May and June are dry with hot winds but the monsoon shower brings some relief in the month of July, bringing down the temperatures though the humidity levels remain high. Nevertheless, Chandigarh can also be explored in August and September.

Places to visit :

Sukhna Lake :Sukhna Lake is located in Sector 1, adjoining the Rock Garden near the foothills of Shivalik Hills.Sukhna is an artificial lake. This 3 km rain-fed lake was created in 1958 by damming the Sukhna Choe, a seasonal stream coming down from the Shivalik Hills. It has The Garden of Silence within it.
The atmosphere here is serene. Sukhna Lake is the venue for many festive celebrations. The most popular is the Mango Festival held during the monsoons. It is believed that a Swiss architect Pierre Jeanneret's ashes were immersed in this lake according to his will as he developed a deep bond with the lake.

Rock Garden :The Rock Garden is situated in the middle of the Capitol Complex and the Sukhna Lake in Sector 1. It is also known as Nek Chand Rock Garden after its founder. It has numerous sculptures made by using a variety of different discarded waste materials like frames, mudguards, forks, handle bars, metal wires, play marbles, porcelain, auto parts, broken bangles etc.
Nek Chand himself went up the Shivalik hills and got different stones and materials with which he started building the garden.

Gulmarg

Gulmarg is a town, a hill station, a popular skiing destination and a notified area committee in Baramula district in the Indian state of Jammu and Kashmir. The town is situated in the Pirpanjal range in the western Himalayas.

Gulmarg lies in a cup shaped valley in the Pir Panjal Range of the Himalayas, at an altitude of 2,650 m (8,694 ft), 56 km from Srinagar. The soil in Gulmarg comprises glacial deposits, lacustrine deposits and moraines of Pleistocene age covering shales, limestones, sandstones, schists and other varieties of rocks. The natural meadows of Gulmarg, which are covered with snow in winter, allow the growth of wild flowers such as daisies, forget-me-nots and butter cups during spring and summer. The meadows are interspersed by enclosed parks and small lakes, and surrounded by forests of green pine and fir. Skiing and other winter sports in Gulmarg are carried out on the slopes of Apharwat peak at a height of 4,267 m (13,999 ft). Many points on Apharwat peak and Khilanmarg offer a panoramic view of Nanga Parbat and Harmukh mountains.

Jammu

Jammu About this sound pronunciation is the largest city in the Jammu Division and the winter capital of state of Jammu and Kashmir in India. It is situated on the banks of the Tawi River. It is administered by a municipal corporation.

Being near the Himalayas, the climate of the entire area is cold though summers are markedly warm. The temperatures range from 26.2°C to 4.3° C in winters and from 43.0°C to 23.4°C during summers. The recommended clothing for winters would be heavy/medium woolens while light cottons would be the best for summers in Jammu. Summers in Jammu are a sweltering, uncomfortable contrast to the cool climes of Kashmir. However, from October onwards, it becomes quite pleasant.

Places to visit :Bahu Fort, which also serves as a religious temple, is situated about 5 km from Jammu city on a rock face on the left bank of the river Tawi. This is perhaps the oldest fort and edifice in Jammu city. Constructed originally by Raja Bahulochan over 3,000 years ago, the fort was improved and rebuilt by Dogra rulers. Inside the fort, there is a temple dedicated to the goddess Kali, popularly known as Bave Wali Mata, the presiding deity of Jammu. Every Tuesday and Sunday pilgrims throng this temple and partake in "Tawi flowing worship". Today the fort is surrounded with a terraced garden which is a favourite picnic spot of the city folk.

Gauri Shankar Temple, at Channi Himmat is a lord Shiva temple which is located in the heart of the Channi Himmat (opposite railway crossing) which is about 3–4 km from the railway station. The unique architecture of the temple is at its best in the evening. The food is offered to people on every Saturday evening.

Bagh-E-Bahu, located on the banks of Tawi river, is a Mughal-a Bagh itself . There is a small cafeteria on one side of the garden. On the by-pass road behind Bahu Fort, the city forest surrounds the ancient Mahamaya Temple overlooking the river Tawi. A small garden surrounded by acres of woods provides a view of the city. Opposite the Bahu Fort, overlooking the River Tawi, is a temple dedicated to Mahamaya of Dogra decent, who lost her life fourteen centuries ago fighting foreign invaders. The present temple of Bawey Wali Mata was built shortly after the coronation of Maharaja Gulab Singh, in 1849. It is also known as the temple of Mahakali and the goddess is considered second only to Mata Vaishno Devi in terms of mystical power.

Katra

Katra or Katra Vaishno Devi, as it is popularly known, is a small town in Reasi district of the Indian state of Jammu and Kashmir situated in the foothills of the Trikuta Mountains, where the holy shrine of Vaishno Devi is located. It is located 42 km from the city of Jammu.

Katra is located at 32.98°N 74.95°E. It has an average elevation of 875 metres (2,474 feet). There also been reports of possible oil reserves in the area.

Katra serves as the base camp for pilgrims who visit Vaishno Devi. It has a thriving tourism industry that offers plenty of hotels, guest houses, restaurants, dhabas, fast-food joints that fit all kinds of budgets. Free accommodation is provided by some registered trusts in the form of Sarais for the poor. The number of pilgrims that visit the shrine every year has increased from 1.4 million in 1986 to 8.2 million in 2009. Over the years, a lot has changed, but one should not miss the opportunity to walk through the main bazaar (market) for buying (do not forget/hesitate to negotiate a bit) souvenirs, dryfruits, woolen garments, hosiery, leather jackets, etc.To reach Vaishno Devi Mandir(temple) the pilgrims have to register at the Katra before starting the trek. By registering, the pilgrims get accident insurance while on the trek for 1 lakh INR. It is a trek of 14 km.There is another trek (1.5 km) from Vaishno Devi temple for Baba Bhaironnath. It is said that the pilgrimage is not complete until you visit this temple at last. The scenery throughout the trek is picturesque.Environment-friendly auto rickshaws and helicopter services are available, to make the journey a pleasant one.

Pahalgam

Pahalgam is a town and a notified area committee in Anantnag district of the Indian state of Jammu & Kashmir. It is a popular tourist destination and hill station. It is located 45 kilometres (28 mi) from Anantnag on the banks of Lidder River at an altitude of 7,200 feet (2,200 m). Pahalgam is the headquarters of one of the five tehsils of Anantnag district.

Pahalgam is located at 34.01°N 75.19°E. Pahalgam holds a central position in the Lidder Valley. It has an average elevation of 2,740 metres (8,990 ft).

Places to visit :Kolhoi Glacier - Kolohoi Glacier, situated up the Lidder Valley, just below Kolhoi Peak is currently a hanging glacier. It is accessible from Pahalgam via Aru and is known to have extended for at least 35 kilometres (22 mi). According to the mountaineers from Jawahar Institute of Mountaineering, in 2008, the glacier receded by half since 1985 and it is not safe to study because it is hollow and has 200-foot-deep (61 m) crevices.

Betaab Valley - Betaab Valley is a valley located 15 kilometres (9.3 mi) from Pahalgam. The valley got its name from a Bollywood movie Betab that was shot here.

Patnitop

Patnitop or Patni Top is a hilltop tourist location in Udhampur district in Jammu and Kashmir state of India on National Highway 44 112 km (70 mi) from Jammu on the way from Udhampur to Srinagar. Situated on a plateau in the Shivalik belt of the Himalayas, Patnitop sits at an altitude of 2,024 m (6,640 ft). The river Chenab flows in close proximity to this location.

Any time of the year is a good time for Patnitop tourism. It all depends on your wishes, whether you like to indulge in aero sports or in winter sports or you just want to get lost in the enchanting silence of the town. Do carry light woolen clothes with you as night get a bit chilly around here.

Places to visit :

The Naag Temple - Situated on top of the hill, the temple is more than 600 years old. The temple witnesses a large number of devotees on all days and on special occasions, the number is mind boggling. The temple is also a good option for excursions on Patnitop tourism.

Skiing - Patnitop also attracts a lot of tourist because of the skiing possibilities that are present here. In winter months, special skiing classes for beginners has been introduced, specially in January and February. The snow covered slopes of Patnitop are not very steep or bumpy, so they turn out to be perfect for starters. For more experienced legs, there is Madhatop, just 5 km away from here, which is more difficult and challenging.

Paragliding - In recent years, aero sports have become quite prominent in the town. Tourist widely indulge in Parasailing and hot air ballooning, but the most popular is Para gliding. May, June, September and October are the most favorable months for indulging is this activity.

Srinagar

Srinagar is the largest city and the summer capital of the Indian state of Jammu and Kashmir. It lies on the banks of the Jhelum River, a tributary of the Indus, and Dal and Anchar lakes. The city is famous for its gardens, waterfronts and houseboats. It is also known for traditional Kashmiri handicrafts and dried fruits.

The best time to visit Srinagar is during summers between April and June.

Srinagar has a humid subtropical climate, much cooler than what is found in much of the rest of India, due to its moderately high elevation and northerly position. The valley is surrounded by the Himalayas on all sides. Winters are cool, with daytime temperature averaging to 2.5 °C (36.5 °F), and drops below freezing point at night. Moderate to heavy snowfall occurs in winter and the highway connecting Srinagar with the rest of India faces frequent blockades due to icy roads and avalanches. Summers are warm with a July daytime average of 24.1 °C (75.4 °F). The average annual rainfall is around 720 millimetres (28 in). Spring is the wettest season while autumn is the driest. The highest temperature reliably recorded is 38.3 °C (100.9 °F) and the lowest is −20.0 °C (−4.0 °F).

Places to visit :

The valley of Kashmir, in which Srinagar is located, is also referred to as being a heaven on earth. The Mughal emperor Jahangir was so captivated by the beauty of this valley that he exclaimed "Gar firdaus, ruhe zamin ast, hamin asto, hamin asto, hamin asto" (If there is a heaven on earth, it's here, it's here, it's here). There are a number of tourist places in and around Srinagar.

The Dal Lake is an important tourist attraction of Srinagar. It is located on the eastern end of the city. The Dal Lake comprises of a series of lakes, including the Nagin Lake some 8 km from the city center. One can enjoy the panoramic view of the mountains surrounding Srinagar from this lake. Travelers can enjoy taking a ride on traditional Kashmiri boats or the Shikaras to explore the intricate maze of waterways of this lake.

The other major attractions of Srinagar city are the well laid out Mughal styled gardens. The Shalimar Bagh and the Nishat Bagh are beautiful gardens located to the far eastern side of the Dal Lake. One can take a stroll amongst these green and attractive gardens and enjoy the waterworks within them.

LansDown

Lansdowne is a cantonment town in Pauri Garhwal district in the Indian state of Uttarakhand.
Most of Lansdowne is within walkable distance from the town center. Once you have seen places within Lansdowne, drive out to nearby towns such as Jai Hari Khal, Satpuli, Pauri and Srinagar. A short distance off the main road from jai Hari Khal is a temple of Bhairon Dev on the top of a hill. The trek to the temple is not very long or tiring but offers a spectacular view of the valley below.

Nako

Nako is a village in the Himalayas of northern India, located near the Indo-China border in the Trans-Himalayan region of Kinnaur district in Himachal Pradesh.

Places to visit :

Nako Lake is a small and beautiful holy lake. Early in the morning is the most scenic — if the water is still you get a beautiful reflection of the village and mountains in the lake. Follow the path around the left side of the hotel.

Walk around the small village absorbing the traditional atmosphere and architecture — it looks like it hasn't changed in hundreds of years.

Nako Monastery, (in the middle of the village). Allegedly founded by Ringchen Zangpo in 996 AD. A complex of small old temples with fine old sculptures and frescoes, sadly some of them neglected. There's also a new temple built in recent years. Free, donation appreciated.

Pipalkoti

Pipalkoti is a small town in the Chamoli district of Uttarakhand India. It lies in the Garhwal Himalayas, 78 kms on the way to Badrinath. Pipalkoti located 17kms after Chamoli on NH58 is a relaxation point for people travelling to Badrinath, Auli, Hemkund Sahib and Valley of Flowers. It provides good restaurants and budget accommodation for the vary pilgrims of Chardham.

Places to visit :

Pipalkoti has pleasant summers and is also very near to the Chardham yatra Badrinath Temple, the temple dedicated to Lord Badrinath i.e Lord Vishnu Lakhs of pilgrims visit Badrinath each year and pay their respect to the lord.

Lakhs of pilgrims visit Badrinath each year and pay their respect to the lord.

Joshimath is situated 36kms from Pipalkoti. It is the winter home of Lord Badrinath. This also make it a favourable halting spot for sight seeing, travel seekers and pilgrims.

Saharan

Soaked in nature's beauty, Sarahan is flanked on the banks of the meandering Sutlej River. The way to Sarahan through Fagu, Theog, Narkanda, Rampur, and Jeori is extremely scenic-traversing through mountains flanked by steep cliffs on one side and deep ravines on the other, dense emerald pine forests, terraced farms, apple orchards. Once in Sarahan, one beholds a range of the snow-capped Himalayan peaks and one of them is the Shrikhand Peak. The rather peculiar thing about this peak is that it is only one whose tip remains uncovered with snow. In the evening, sunrays adorn the peaks and the sight is simply stupendous.
In the heart of Sarahan is the temple of Goddess Bhima Kaali, the architecture of which is very akin to a monastery. Lots of almonds, plums, and peach orchards laden with luscious fruits transport one to Eden.
Tour to Sarahan About 54 km from Sarahan lies in the Sangla valley. The road to Sangla is narrow, rough, and hazardous, taking one through Wangtu and Karchham. The Sutlej River that meanders below now emerges in all its frenzied ferocity. The sheer force with which it gushes down makes it awesome. The road to Sangla is crudely carved out of rocks and runs parallel to the river that is deep down in the forge. At some places, there is barely enough space for the bus to wriggle through the rough road and the rock above.

The ideal season to visit Sarahan and its adjoining areas is between April and June. After this the monsoons begin. September to November are good months to go and one can get a glimpse of snow in Kufri and Narkanda.

Silakhet Almora

Located at a distance of 24 km from Ranikhet, Sitlakhet is a beautiful place known for its peaceful surroundings and offbeat location. Nestled in the lap of nature, at an altitude of 3870 meters in the Syahi Devi hill, Sitlakhet is among the finest places for a retreat from the hustle bustle of city life.

Another beautiful attraction here is the famous temple of Syahi Devi, visited regularly by many local devotees. Sitlakhet is an ideal picnic spot full of blooming orchards, spectacular sceneries, and cool refreshing breeze. Sitlakhet is also well known for its herbs and medicinal plants. Stunning view of the imposing Himalayas makes this place to stand out among other tourist spots. Adventure lovers can have a wonderful time here as Sitlakhet is a trekking delight and is used as the grounds for scouting camps. This is certain that once you have been there, you won't be able to go away from this blissful place.

The best time to visit Sitlakhet is during summer months from May to October to beat the heat in the cool and pleasant weather of Sitlakhet.